Flying-machine.



G. H. OURTISS.

FLYING KACHINB.

LPPXJUATIOI FILED JAI.2B, 19KB. 1,108,490. Patented Aug. 25, 1914.

2 SHEETS-SHEET L Ming;

1! Al. Car/(J35 a flu VMEVS GLENN H. OUR-PISS, OF HAMMONDSPQBT, NEW YORK rmrmemcnmn.

specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 25, 1914.}

Application filed January 88, 1918. Serial No. 744,828.

To all whom it may concern:

BeQ-it known that I, GLENN H. a citizen of the United States, residing at Hammondsport, New York, have invented certain new anduseful Improvements in Flying-Machines, of which the following 13 a clear, full, and exact description.

This invention relates to improvements in heavier than-air flying machines more particularly of the hydro-aeroplane type, although it may be also advantageously employed in connection with other machines.

Flying machines when at rest are often exposed to side winds which may cause a lifting pressure beneath the lateral portlons of the main supporting planes at the windward side of the machine and either turn over the machine or bring about undesirable strains on the parts.

The use of the present improvement will, in a large part, obviate the objectionable effects. of side winds as will be clear from the full understanding of the invention hereinafter described.

It is to be understood that the present improvement may be applied to any of the well-known types of aeroplanes now on the market, such as the Curtiss or Wright mac! fines, and in illustranng my preferred embodiment thereof, I have shown in the figures of the drawings merely sufficient structure forthe complete understanding of the present invention, omitting disclosure of other well-knownparts of such machines which are necessary to make up a complete flying machine.

The following specification will give a clear understan ing of the invention, and the scope thereof will beset forth in the appended claims.

Figure 1 is a front elevation of a hydroaeroplane of the biplane type, with a' portion'of my improvement thereon; Fig. 2 is an enlarged detail of one end of the same; Fig. 3 is a plan of the structure shown in Fig. 2;, Fig. 4 is an enlarged front elevation of a modification showing certain additional features of the invention; Fig. 5 is a dia-' gram illustrating the connections which lead from the operators control to the adjustable parts of the. resent improvement.

Referring t to Fig. 1, the upper and lower in in supporting aeroplane surfaces of the ma hine are indicated at l and 2-, connected by theusual struts 3. Central floati fling means such as the boat 4 is located below the supporting planes at substantially Zthe transverse center of the machine. This certtral floating means is preferably of sufficient.

buoyancy to completely sustain the machine on the water and forms the main support therefor, although material assistance may be given at times by side float bodies herein- ;after described.- It is well understood that.

in this hydro-aeroplane type of machine, the 'operators seat and controls are located with in or adjacent to this central floating meansl At each side, ofthe machine I have provided jlateral surfaceswhich may be either auxil--.

iary to the main supporting aeroplane s'ur-T faces or the main supporting surfaces them-; selves, movable to present angles of incidence negative at the windward side and positive at the leeward side to a relatively side wind coming toward the machine. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 1, these mow-- able surfaces consists of small auxiliary planes 5 and 7 pivoted adjacent the oppo- A site extremities of the upper aeroplane surface 1 by suitable hinges such as 6 and 8 forming in this case extensions of said 'aeroplane surface. The'inner or abutting edge of the auxiliary planes 5 and 7 are prefer ably as wide as the adjacent outer edge of the aeroplane surface 1, although these auxiliary planes 5 and 7 may converge to a mar-.- 'rower outer edge as shown in Fig. 3. Each of the hinged planes 5 and 7 may be suitably supported in position by struts 9 and 11,- pivotally connected at one end as at 37 and '90 '38, to the planes and having a'slidable COD-r nection at the other end through suitable loops such as 10 and 12 fixed on. the machine. These hinged planes 5 and 7 are preferably adjusted to different positions by means of suitable connecting cables 13 and '14 running therefrom to the operatofls control or lever 15 pivoted at 16 adjacent the operators seat. This lever 15'is provided. with a suitable detent 19, cooperating with, a notched rack 19 for fixed adjustment in f different positions. It will be clear from the drawings that a cable 13 fixed to the upper portion of the lever 15 at 17 leads to the lower end of one strut such as 9, and to the upper portion of theother strut 11, whereas cable 14 fixed, to the lower end of lever 15 at .18 leads to thenpperporuon of strata and.

to the lower portion of strut 11. Suitable ides such as20 and 21 may be provided at a e corners of the machine for guiding the cables in the proper direction as shown 111 will be obvious from the foregoing that the lever 15 when thrown to the left, looking at Fig. 1, will by means of cable 13 elevate the plane 5 and by cable 14 elevate the plane 7 to the normal pos tion shown, whereby these planes form horizontal extensions of the main aeroplane surface. Likewise, when lever 15 is thrown to the right, cables 13 and 14 will swing both of the auxiliary planes 5 and 7 downwardly an angular relation to the main aeroplane surface 1 so as to present a negative angle of incidence to any wind which may come toward its respective side of the machine. In this way a depressing effect at the windward side of the machine maybe caused by a side wind rather than a lifting effect, and thus prevent the machine when at rest, from being turned over or damaged by s1de gusts.

So far those features of the present improvement which relate merely to the movable lateral surfaces have been described. I also contemplate the use in-a hydro-aeroplane machine of side floats either with or without the lateral surfaces, which side floats are to be bodily movable up and down with respect to the central floatin or boat 4, so as to either rest upon t e water simultaneously with said boat 4 for trimming said machine on the water in lateral equilibrium, or to be raised into a higher position for clearing the water, while the boat 4 is still in contact therewith.

Referring more particularly to Fig. 4, it will be observed that in addition to the lateral movable surfaces 5 7 mounted adjacent the lateral extremities of the upper aeroplane surface 1, there are provided float bodies 21 and 51, one at each side of the machine below the aeroplane surfaces and adjacent the extremities thereof. As both of these float bodies are similarly mounted, a description of one will suffice. .The float body itself may be of any suitable shape preferably conforming to stream line requirements and although buoyant for sustaining its respective end of the machine when required, need not necessarily be of the same buoyant capacity as the central floating means 4. In the present embodiment, each side floating body such as 21 is a hollow air filled elongated tank, mounted so as to incline downwardly from front to rear and preferably formed with a hydro surface at its lower side and having a water blade 34 extending from its rear end toward the water so as to first engage therewith when one side or the other of the machine is depressed. The side float or tank 21 in the' modification shown in Fig. 4, is movmeans ably mounted upon themachine by means of a parallel link mechanism so as to have a substantiall vertical parallel movement. The outer linlis 22 are pivotally connected at one end 26 to the float and connected .at their other ends to sleeves 25 slidably mounted upon side struts 9 of the machine. The links 23 may be fixed to the float at one end and pivoted at 24 to the lower aeroplane surface, whereby the float may swing bodily in various parallel positions up and down with respect to the machine.

In this modification the movable lateral surfaces 5, 7, are similarly mounted and moved as was described in connection with Fig. 1, and adjacent the operators seat are located two control levers 19 and 40, one for operating both lateral surfaces 5 7 in the same direction simultaneously, and the other lever for operating both floats 2 1 and 51 simultaneously up and down.

In Fig. 4 is shown a cable 27 leading from the upper end of lever 40 over a guide and downwardly to a connection with the float structure 21, and cable 27 is shown leading from the lower part of lever 40 over a gulde and downwardly to a connection with float 51. Cable 28 leads from the lower part of lever 40 around the guide 20 and upwardly to a connection with the float 21 such as sleeve 25, and cable 28 leads from the upper part oflever 40 around a ide 21 upwardly to a connection with oat 51 such as sleeve 25". It will be noted from this view as well as from the diagram Fig. 5, that the connections are so arranged that by throwing lever 40 to the left, a pull on cables 27 and 27 is brought about to elevate the floats 21 and 51, whereas throwing lever 40; to the right causes a pull on cables 28 and 28" which will lower the floats 21 and 51. In a similar manner cables 13 and 13 connected to opposite ends of lever 19 lead to lower ends of the struts 9 and 11 respectively, while cables 14 and 14. connected to opposite ends of the same lever 19 lead to upper ends of struts 9 and 11 respectively, whereby a pull on cables 13 and 13 will elevate the planes 5 and 7, and a pull on cables 14 and 14 will incline the same as shown in dotted lines Fig. 4.

' It will be understood that the present description of the drawings specify certain forms in which my invention may be embodied, and that further forms and modifications are embraced in the full scope of my invention as expressed in the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. In a heavier-than-air flyin machine in combination, a main plane fixe in position, a central floating device located below the longitudinal axis of the machine and adapted to support said entire machine upon the water, adjustable auxili planes pivoted at the lateral edges of sai main plane and adapted to swing about longitudinal axes to present inclined surfaces to a current of air coming. toward the side of the machine, and auxiliary float members spaced from said central floating device and mounted at each side of the machine substantially beneath said auxiliary planes for supporting from the water that portion of the machine carrying the auxiliary planes, said float membersbeing adjustable bodily up and down for trimming the machine upon the water in lateral equilibrium.

2. In a heavier-than-air flym machine in combination, a main plane fixe in position, a central floating device located below the longitudinal axis of the machine and adapted to support said entiremachlne upon the water, adjustable auxiliar planes pivoted at the lateral edges of sai main plane and adapted to swing about longitudinal axes to present inclined surfaces to a current of a1r coming toward the side of the machine, auxiliary float members spaced from said central floating device and mounted at each side of the machine substantially beneath said auxiliary planes for supporting from the water that portion of the machine carrying the auxiliary planes, said float members being adjustable bodily up and down for trimming the machine upon the water in lateral equilibrium, and manually controlled means for independently adjusting said auxiliar planes or said auxiliary floats.

3. Ina heavier-than-air flying machine in combination, laterally extending planes each pivotally mounted for adjustable movement about longitudinal axes, manually controlled means for adjusting said planes simultaneously to equal angles in the same direction up or down, a central floating device for supporting said entire machine upon the water, and auxiliary float members spaced from said central floatin device and mounted at each side of sai machine substantially beneath the lateral ends of said planes for supporting the same from the water, said auxiliary float members being adjustable bodily up and down for trimming the machine upon the water in lateral equilibrium.

4. In a heavier-than-air flying machine in combination, laterally extending planes pivotally mounted for adjustable movement about longitudinal axes, manually controlled means comprising a single hand-lever for adjusting said planes simultaneously to equal angles in the same direction up or down, a central floating device for supporting said entire machine upon the water, auxiliary float members spaced from said central floating device and mounted at each side of said machine substantially beneath the lateral ends of said planes for supporting the same from the water, said auxiliary float members being adjustable bodily up and down for trimming the machine upon the water in lateral equilibrium.

5. In a heavier-than-air flying machine in combination, a main plane, adjustable auxiliary planes pivoted at the lateral edges of said main ment up and down about longitudinal axes, supportingstruts connected to said movable auxiliary planes and guided for slidable moveinent on said machine, an operators controlling lever, and connections from said lever to said-struts for swinging said auxiliary planes simultaneously in the same direction up or down when said lever is moved.

6. In a heavier-than-air flying machine in combination, superposed main planes fixed in position, adjustable auxiliary planes pivoted at the lateral edges of an upper main plane for movement about longitudinal axes, supporting struts connected to said movable auxiliary planes, and guided for slidable movement through the lower plane of said machine, an operators controlling lever, and connections from said lever to said struts for moving'the same simultaneously in the same direction up or down when said lever is moved.

7. In a heavier-than-air flying machine in combination, superposed main planes, adjustable auxiliary planes pivoted at the lateral edges of an upper main plane to swing about longitudinal axes, supporting struts slidably connected to said lower plane for an up and down movement therethrou h, and pivotally connected to said mova le auxillary lanes.

8. In a eavier-than-air flying machine in combination, superposed main planes fixed in position, adjustable auxiliary planes pivoted at the lateral edges of an upper main plane for movement about longitudinal axes, supporting struts slidably guided on said lower plane and pivotally connected to said movable auxiliary lanes, an operators controlling lever and exible cable connections from said lever to said struts for swinging said auxiliary planes simultaneously in the same direction up or down when said lever is moved.

9. Ina heavier-than-air flying machine in combination, a main plane, adjustable auxiliary planes pivoted at the lateral edges of said main plane, supporting struts connected to said movable auxiliary planes and guided for slidable movement on said machine, auxiliary float members mounted at each side of said machine and connected with said struts for supporting the lateral ends of the machine from the water.

10. In a heavier-thanair flying machine in combination, a main plane, adjustable auxiliary planes pivoted at the lateral edges of Said main plane, supporting struts con plane for move-' nected to said movable auxiliary planes and planes and said auxiliary floats to different ided for slidable movement on said mapositions. chine, aum'liary float members mounted at Signed at Coronado, California, this 21st each side of said machine and having sllding day of January, 1913. connections with said struts for $11 porting GLENN H. CURTISS. the lateral ends of the machine rom the Witnesses: Water, and manually controlling means for G, V, MAnmoN, IN dependently adjusting said auxiliary A. THOMSON.

v mew neoted to'said movable auxiliary pl'alies and planes andtsaidauxiliary floats to different i guided: for slidable movement on said. mapositions. 7

the lateral ends of "the machine 0111 the. Witnesses:

. Corrections In LettersPatent No, 1,108,490.

. v 10 chine, auxiliary float members mounted Signed at Coronado, California,-th1s 21st each side of said machine and having sliding day of January, 1913. I -connect1ons'with said strutsifor su portlng GLENN H. CURTISS. I

water, and manually controllin mea ns for G, V. MAmsoN, independently, adjusting sai auxihary v A. THOMSON.

It is hereb certifietl that in Letters Patent No. 1,108,490, grante l Augi1st 25, 1914, upon the application of Glenn H. Curtiss, of Hammondsport, New York, for an improvemen t in Flyi ng-Machi nes, errors appear in the irinted specifieation requiring oorrection as follows:, Page 1, line for the word consists read mw; page 2, line 16, for the Word. an read in; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with these corrections therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Ofiice. I

Signed and sealed this 226. day of September, A. 1)., 1914. I

[SEAL] '23. F. WHITEHE A D, Q A I It is hereby certified that in Letters Patent No. 1,108,490, gmntedAugust 25, 1914, upon the application of Glenn H. Curtise, of Hammondsport, New York, for an improvement in Flying-Machines, errors appear the printed specification requiring correction as follows: Page 1, line "(7, for the word consists read mezlst; page 2, line 16, for the word an read in; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with these corrections therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Ofiice.

" Signed and sealed this 22d day of September, A. 1)., 1914.

' ,R. F. WHITEHEAD,

ating 

